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Observer, Volume 1, Issue 13, 11 December 1880, Page 109

The Otaliuhu Mutual Improvement Society are in trouble. A few weeks ago they gave a theatrical entertainment, consisting of selections from Shakespeare, and Win. Brough's tiny farce, "No. 1 Round the Corner." Mr. Gillon, the agent of the Dramatic Authors' Society, appears to have got wind of the affair, and has written to the Secretary, as follows : " Wellington, November 18, 1880. The Secretary, Otahuhu Mutual Improvement Association. — Dear sir : I have to request the immediate payment of the sum of 10s. as author's fee on the recent performance of Mr. William Brough's farce, ' No. 1 Round the Corner.' By performing it without permission first obtained, all who took part in, or sanctioned its performance, have rendered themselves liable to a penalty of 405.; but I shall, if the amount is at once remitted, be content on this occasion with the payment of the regular fee of 10s. In any future performance of copyright pieces, however, permission must be obtained, and the fee paid in advance. Unless the fee in this case is paid without delay, my solicitors will be instructed to at once commence legal proceedings. Awaiting your reply. — I am, dear sir, yours truly, E. T. GILLON (registered agent for William Brough and the Dramatic Authors' Society.") Unless the Otahuhu Mutual Improvement Society are willing to test the whole question of copyright in the Supreme Court, I fear they will be under the melancholy necessity of shelling out. Mr. De Lias and sundry lawyers are of opinion that the Copyright Act can't be enforced here, and that, if the case were properly tried, this would be proved. The experiment would, however, be so costly that no one is likely to undertake it, and meantime Mr. Gillon can procure judgment in the R.M. Court whenever he feels inclined. At one time it was thought Mr. De Lias was going into the matter, but he changed his mind, and has now arranged to pay Mr. Gillon the lowest scale of charge demanded.

Ten shillings is certainly a high charge for the performance of a trumpery farce like " No. 1 Round the Corner," and next time the O.M.L Society want to perform a piece, which is in. the Dramatic Authors' list, I should advise them to communicate with Gillon beforehand and strike a bargain. "Sharps" avoid the payment of fees by omitting all mention of the author, changing the name of the piece, and of the characters named in it, and slightly altering the dialogue. "No. 1 Round the Corner" is frequently performed as "The Unhappy Pair;" in fact, that is the name many people know the piece best by.